The Federal Government has responded to the recent redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) by United States President Donald Trump, rejecting the basis for the decision and affirming Nigeria’s commitment to religious freedom and peaceful coexistence.

President Trump had on Friday reclassified Nigeria as a CPC, citing alleged large-scale killings of Christians and claims of rising religious persecution across the country. A similar designation was made by the U.S. Department of State in December 2020 on grounds that Christianity faced an existential threat in Nigeria.

Reacting to the development, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, said the claims “do not reflect the situation on the ground.”

In a statement issued in Abuja, the government maintained that Nigeria remains a nation where citizens of all faiths coexist peacefully and enjoy freedom of worship.

“Nigeria notes the recent remarks by U.S. President Donald J. Trump alleging large-scale killings of Christians in Nigeria and calling for the country’s designation as a ‘Country of Particular Concern,’” the statement read.

“While Nigeria appreciates global concern for human rights and religious freedom, these claims do not reflect the situation on the ground. Nigerians of all faiths have long lived, worked, and worshipped together peacefully.”

Ebienfa stressed that under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Federal Government remains committed to combating terrorism, promoting interfaith harmony, and safeguarding the rights and lives of all citizens regardless of religion or ethnicity.

“Nigeria will continue to engage constructively with the Government of the United States to deepen mutual understanding of regional dynamics and the country’s ongoing peace and security efforts,” he added.

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reacted to the judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, which restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing the outcome of its planned 2025 National Convention.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the party said it does not accept the judgment and has accordingly instructed its legal team to file an appeal immediately.

READ ALSO: Court Bars INEC from Recognizing Outcome of PDP Planned 2025 National Convention

According to the statement, the decision to appeal reflects the PDP’s commitment to the rule of law and its determination to defend and promote multi-party democracy in Nigeria.

Ologunagba clarified that the court’s ruling does not invalidate the party’s preparations and ongoing processes leading to the convention to elect new national officers who will steer the party’s affairs for the next four years.

He further noted that the recent Supreme Court judgment reaffirmed the supremacy of political parties in the management of their internal affairs, emphasizing that the PDP remains guided by this legal principle.

The party, therefore, urged all members, chapters, and organs to remain steadfast, law-abiding, and focused on the upcoming national convention, assuring them that the PDP remains united and resolute in advancing democratic governance in Nigeria.

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US President Donald Trump has redesignated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) following allegations of a Christian genocide in the West African nation.

In a post on his Truth Social account on Friday, Trump said Christianity faced an “existential threat” in Nigeria, claiming that thousands of Christians have been killed in recent years.

“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed,” Trump wrote.
“I am hereby making Nigeria a ‘COUNTRY OF PARTICULAR CONCERN’.”

The president blamed radical Islamists for what he described as “mass slaughter,” citing figures that suggested 3,100 of 4,476 global Christian deaths occurred in Nigeria although he did not specify the source of the statistics.

Trump added that the United States “cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria and numerous other countries,” and said he had asked Congressmen Riley Moore and Tom Cole, along with the House Appropriations Committee, to investigate the situation.

Lawmakers including Senator Ted Cruz have long called for the CPC designation, with Cruz recently introducing a bill seeking targeted sanctions against Nigerian officials accused of enforcing Sharia and blasphemy laws.

The move marks a return to a policy first implemented in 2020, during Trump’s first term, when Nigeria was similarly designated. The Biden administration later removed the country from the list.

In March 2025, several members of Congress renewed calls for Nigeria’s redesignation and possible sanctions amid claims of ongoing persecution.

Trump’s latest decision comes despite Nigeria’s firm rejection of the allegations.

Last month, President Bola Tinubu dismissed the claims of a religious genocide, insisting that “no religion is under threat” and that Nigeria “is built on the faith and resilience of its people.”

Members of Trump’s own administration have also offered contradictory views. Earlier this month, Massad Boulos, Trump’s senior adviser on Arab and African affairs, said terrorism in Nigeria affects all faiths and ethnic groups, not just Christians.

Similarly, Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin noted that the violence in Nigeria was rooted more in social and economic causes than in religion.

Under US law, when a country is designated a CPC, Congress must be notified to impose policy measures or sanctions aimed at halting “particularly severe violations of religious freedom.”

So far, the Nigerian government has not officially responded to the redesignation.

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The Nigerian military has detained 42 officers, including 16 senior personnel, over an alleged plot to assassinate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, according to ongoing investigations by security agencies.

A report from Premium Times says that while the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has downplayed reports of a coup plot attributing the detentions to “internal disciplinary procedures” multiple sources indicate that the arrests are connected to what is being described as a foiled plot uncovered in early October 2025.

Investigators reportedly traced suspicious communications, movements, and funding links allegedly tied to the group, with some leads linked to former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva, whose Abuja home was recently raided by security operatives.

Scope of the Investigation

According to defence sources, 14 of the 16 top suspects are from the Nigerian Army, while one is from the Nigerian Navy and another from the Nigerian Air Force.

Most of the detained officers are drawn from the Infantry Corps, the army’s combat division, alongside a few from the Signals and Ordnance Corps.

The officers are currently being held at various military detention facilities in Abuja as investigations continue into what authorities describe as “subversive activities inconsistent with military ethics.”

Profiles of the Detained Officers

Below are details of the 16 identified officers allegedly linked to the foiled coup plot:

1. Brigadier General Musa Abubakar Sadiq

Service Number: N/10321

Date of Birth: January 3, 1974

Origin: Nasarawa State

Background: Trained at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) from 1992–1997, Course 44.

Profile: Believed to be the lead figure in the alleged plot. Previously detained in 2024 for misconduct involving diversion of palliatives and sale of military equipment.

Former Positions: Commander, 3rd Brigade (Kano); Garrison Commander, 81 Division (Lagos).

2. Colonel M.A. Ma’aji

Service Number: N/10668

Date of Birth: March 1, 1976

Origin: Niger State (Nupe ethnic group)

Profile: Senior infantry officer suspected of acting as chief strategist of the network.

Former Role: Commanding Officer, 19 Battalion, Okitipupa, Ondo State. Participated in Operation Crocodile Smile II (2017).

3. Lt. Colonel S. Bappah

Service Number: N/13036

Date of Birth: June 21, 1984

Origin: Bauchi State

Corps: Signals

Training: NDA Regular Course 56 (2004–2008).

4. Lt. Colonel A.A. Hayatu

Service Number: N/13038

Date of Birth: August 13, 1983

Origin: Kaduna State

Corps: Infantry

Training: NDA Regular Course 56.

5. Lt. Colonel P. Dangnap

Service Number: N/13025

Date of Birth: April 1, 1986

Origin: Plateau State

Background: Court-martialed in 2015 during operations against Boko Haram.

Corps: Infantry

Training: NDA Regular Course 56.

6. Lt. Colonel M. Almakura

Service Number: N/12983

Date of Birth: March 18, 1983

Origin: Nasarawa State

Corps: Infantry

Training: NDA Regular Course 56.

7. Major A.J. Ibrahim

Service Number: N/13065

Date of Birth: June 12, 1987

Origin: Gombe State

Corps: Infantry

Training: NDA Regular Course 56; became Captain in 2013.

8. Major M.M. Jiddah

Service Number: N/13003

Date of Birth: July 9, 1985

Origin: Katsina State

Corps: Infantry

Training: NDA Regular Course 56.

9. Major M.A. Usman

Service Number: N/15404

Date of Birth: April 1, 1989

Origin: Federal Capital Territory

Corps: Infantry

Training: NDA Regular Course 60 (2008–2012).

10. Major D. Yusuf

Service Number: N/14753

Date of Birth: May 26, 1988

Origin: Gombe State

Corps: Ordnance

Training: NDA Regular Course 59 (2007–2012).

11. Major I. Dauda

Service Number: N/13625

Date of Birth: November 26, 1983

Origin: Jigawa State

Corps: Infantry

Training: Short Service Commission Course 38 (2009–2010).

12. Captain Ibrahim Bello

Service Number: N/16266

Date of Birth: July 28, 1987

Training: Direct Short Service Course 43.

13. Captain A.A. Yusuf

Service Number: N/16724

Corps: Infantry

14. Lieutenant S.S. Felix

Service Number: N/18105

Corps: Infantry

15. Lieutenant Commander D.B. Abdullahi

Service Number: NN/3289

Branch: Nigerian Navy

Rank Equivalent: Major

16. Squadron Leader S.B. Adamu

Service Number: NAF/3481

Branch: Nigerian Air Force

Rank Equivalent: Major

Government and Military Reactions

So far, the Nigerian government and the Defence Headquarters have not publicly confirmed the alleged assassination or coup plot.

However, insiders suggest that the arrests contributed to the low-key Independence Day celebrations on October 1, 2025, amid fears of potential security breaches within the ranks.

Officials insist that the detentions are part of an internal disciplinary process, though no official charges have yet been filed.

Coup Anxiety Amid Military Reshuffles

The arrests come weeks after President Tinubu announced a major reshuffle of the Armed Forces, appointing General Olufemi Oluyede as the new Chief of Defence Staff and several new Service Chiefs moves seen as efforts to strengthen loyalty within the military hierarchy.

The latest detentions have stirred concerns of instability and internal dissent, reminiscent of Nigeria’s historical struggles with military intervention in politics.

As investigations continue, the fate of the detained officers remains uncertain. Security analysts suggest that transparency in the process will be critical to maintaining public trust and preventing speculation about discontent within the armed forces.

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U.S. President Donald Trump, ahead of his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday, said he has instructed the Department of Defense to immediately resume testing nuclear weapons on an “equal basis” with other nuclear powers.

“Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately,” Trump said on Truth Social, ahead of the meeting with Xi in South Korea.

“Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years,” Trump noted.

President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday Russia had successfully tested a Poseidon nuclear-powered super torpedo that military analysts say is capable of devastating coastal regions by triggering vast radioactive ocean swells.

As Trump has toughened both his rhetoric and his stance on Russia, Putin has publicly flexed his nuclear muscles with the test of a new Burevestnik cruise missile on October 21 and nuclear launch drills on October 22.

The United States last tested a nuclear weapon in 1992.

Tests provide evidence of what any new nuclear weapon will do and whether older weapons still work.

Apart from providing technical data, such a test would be seen in Russia and China as a deliberate assertion of U.S. strategic power.

The United States opened the nuclear era in July 1945 with the test of a 20-kiloton atomic bomb at Alamogordo, New Mexico, and then dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945 to end World War Two.